Seatless undergarment



March 21, 1944'. z ROWN 2,344,674

SEATLESS UNDERGAfiMENT med Ju1 24. 1940 Patented Mar. 21, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEATLESS UNDERGARMENT Zena Brown, Chicago, Ill.

Application July 24, 1940, Serial No. 347,118

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a woman's close-fitting, or skin-tight, bifurcated undergarment of flexible knitted fabric, with crotch and leg covering portions designed to provide warmth and protection over the legs and crotch, the parts of the body which are left unprotected by a girdle or foundation garment, and to maintain a mutually overlapping relationship with the girdle; and embodying a construction which permits of a mode of operation in which the upper edge of the seat, suspended under elastic tension from the waistline, can readily be lowered in use, even when worn under a girdle, and springs back into shape and position on the wearer, thereby eliminating all the inconveniencesof open crotch, plackets, fasteners, or open legs, and which, by the elimination of bulky seams, terminal edges, and plackets, presents a smooth appearance through the outer skirt when worn over a girdle.

To accomplish the above objectives, the upper edge of the seat portion must be cut low enough to cross the figure below the fullest part of the buttocks, so that the strain on the garment is reduced to a minimum when it is stretched downward and forward in use, and so that a smooth effect is insured when worn over; a girdle, and also so that the seat can readily be lowered when worn under a girdle; but it must be cut high enough to move in mutually overlapping relationship with the lower edge "of a girdle and still retain an overlapping relationship when the wearer bends or assumes an ordinary sitting position. I g

As an improvement over prior garments of the chemise or combination suit class, which are desirable to provide the light-hued upper part of a slip when worn with a dark-hued half-petticoat under a light-hued transparent blouse and a dark-hued outer skirt, this invention provides a form-fitting, or skin-tight, combination garment in which are eliminated all of the inconveniences of closures, plackets, fastenings, wide legs, or open crotch, and which covers the upper part of the body down to the waistline, toprovide a proper appearanceunder'a transparent blouse, and which still embodies a nether construction in which the seat can be lowered with a minimum of strain on the rest of the garment whether worn under or over a girdle.

As an improvement over prior form-fitting, or skin-tight, panties of waistline height, made to be worn over a girdle, this invention eliminates the mark which shOWS through an outer garment and hi i r q y the War, seam 0f, the 1011-v struction commonly found in the usual form-fitting or skin-tight panties.

As a further improvement over prior panties of waistline height, designedfor wear under a girdle, which cannot be lowered from the waistline and therefore must be provided with open or separable crotch or with wide legs, this invention provides a close-fitting tight-legged panty with closed crotch, the seat of which can readily be lowered when worn under a girdle.

As an improvement over prior winter panties, commonly known as woolies, which add objectionable bulk over the wearer's hips, this invention provides adequate warmth and protection over the legs and crotch while eliminating the bulky fabric from over the hips.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following de- 'scription progresses:

In describing the invention, references will be made to the appended drawing, in which the heaviest outlines designate the terminal edges of the garment whichis the subject of this invention.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the s'eatless combination garment with continuous front.

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the combination garment in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the combination garment in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the invention applied to a separate panty from the waistline down.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the combination garment with discontinuous front.

Fig. 6 is a front view of the garment shown in Fig. 5. The rear view would appear exactly like Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 shows an alternative cut and construction of the lower portion of the garment shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

In the combination garment, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the entire leg-covering and front body portions are cut in one piece I up to the bustcovering portions 2. A highly flexible fabric is necessary to the construction of this garment. While a woven fabric, cut on the bias, may possibly render this construction operable, for all practical purpose it requires a high degree of flexibility best provided by a knitted fabric. A highly flexible knitted fabric was used in carrying out this invention, and its full flexibility was necessary for the successful operation of a skim tight garment without strain, which is the ob- Jective in every form of the present invention,

3 is the portion of the figure not covered by the garment which is the subject of this invention. When said garment is worn under the girdle, 3 represents the exposed portion of the wearers body before the girdle is donned, and when worn over a girdle, 3 represents the exposed portion of the girdle.

The upper edge of the seat portion is cut low enough to cross the buttocks below their fullest part, so that the terminal edges cannot cause a. mark to show through the outer clothing, and also to provide a large enough opening to reduce the strain to a minimum when it is stretched downward and forward in use; but it is out high enough to allow a movement downward about the distance of half a head (about 4 inches) when the wearer bends or assumes an ordinary sitting position, and still maintain an overlapping relationship with the lower edge of a girdle or foundation garment. As girdles: become longer, some womenfeel that, in a panty worn over a girdle, the crotch does not reach high enough between the thighs to prevent chafing; for this purpose the garment of this invention would be cut shorter in the front body portion between the waistline and the crotch and cut lower at the upper edge of the seat than the garment intended for wear over the girdle. The under-the-girdle garment that would be cut high enough across the buttocks to maintain an underlapping relationship with the lower edge of the girdle would be too low in back to overlap the girdle sufficiently if worn over it. (A difference in length between the waistline and crotch exists also in the merchandising of regular panties for under-the-girdle and overthe-girdle wear.) Since the front body length and the height of the upper edge of the seat portion both depend upon whether the garment of the present invention is to be worn under or over the girdle, it must be designed and sold specifically for each purpose, just as it should be designed and merchandised in proper proportions for different heights of figures, such as average and tall.

In order 'to restore the upper edge of theseat to its original shape and fit after it is stretched downward and forward in use, a light-weight elastic banding '4 is applied flat to said upper edge of the seat portion, which curves slightly upward and forward at the sides to merge into the side edges of the front body portion I of the garment. The elastic banding 4 continues upward along the side edges of the front body portion to the waistline. The crotch 5 is of a width from front to back to permit ease in walking and is seamed to the edges of the front and rear bifurcations to form close-fitt-ing leg-portions, substantially of the construction commonly found in the usual close-fitting, or skin-tight, panties.

The rear bodice '1 extends down to the waistline of the wearer in order to take the place of the upper part of a slip and present an unbroken appearance through a transparent or translucent blouse. Light-weight elastic banding is applied across this lower edge of the rear bodice portion to form a half-waistband 6. The

. side elastic banding which is a continuation of 4 is cut, at each side, sufficiently shorter than the fabric .and the corresponding body length to exert a gentle tension. The upward pull from the waistband, combined with the tension in the side elastic banding, restores the garment to its original position on the wearer after it is pulled downward and forward in use. In donning the combination garment, the wearer steps into from the top; and in order to avoid bulky closures or plackets, a strip of elasticized fabric 8, such as elastic net, for example, is used under each arm, just wide enough to permit the garment to stretch without strain in being pulled up over the wearers hips and then return to shape when adjusted on the wearer. Not only does the bustcovering portion fit mugly because of these elastic inserts, but the elastic half-waistband S across the back keeps the front body portion smooth over the midrifi. It is understood that any type or shape of elasticized inserts may be used, in any part of the bodice; but in this particular execution of the garment, elastic sections 3 were used as narrow as possible (slightly over an inch wide) and placed under each arm so that they would not be visible under a transparent blouse.

A fiat elastic loop 9 may be sewed to the elastic half-waistband 6 at the center back in order to separably connect a fiat fastener means secured to the inside of the waistband of the halfpetticoat which is worn with the combination garment instead of a slip, in order to prevent separation of the two waistbands when the wearer stretches or bends. This is not absolutely required, however, since the half-waistband 6 is held down by its connection with the front and sides of the lower portion of the garment of this invention.

Any type of bust-covering portion can be used in the construction of this garment, such as lacetrimmed camisole top, lace-trimmed or tailored fitted top, as well as a controlling brassiere top. If more than one color is desired, such as white above the waistline and tearose below, the garment will have to be seamed in front at the waistline. From the standpoints both of production and smoothness of fit, as Well as appearance, every effort has been made to use a minmum of seams in carrying out this invention; and modifications and changes may be made in the details of cut and construction without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. It is preferable that the shoulder straps I3 be adjustable and made partially of elastic for additional freedom of movement. They may be plain or trimmed, and any width from narrow ribbon to wide lace or lace-trimmed.

This garment extending upward only to the waistline offers the following improvements over the regular close-fitting panty with closed crotch. When worn under the girdle it can readily be lowered in use, and therefore elimihates the open crotch, wide legs, 0r fasteners; and, when worn over the girdle, the rear seam of the regular panty is eliminated as well aslhalf the fabric over the wearers hips. In the usual close-fitting panty, the rear seam from the waistline down 'causes a visible ridge under the wearers outer dress. In the garment of the present invention, however, the rear seam of the panty disappears, with the exception of a few inches I il below the buttocks, where the curve of the figure recedes. Fig. '4 shows the waistline panty of this invention with the entire waistband H of elastic banding. The front fabric portion may be faced or banded at its upper edge with inelastic material, however, and only a rear elastic half-waistband attached at the sides; but a continuous waistband of elastic is a simpler and more economical construction. The rear half-waistband, which was formerly 6 and attached to the lower edge of the bodice of the combination garment, as shown in Fig. 2, is now free and serves to secure the panty around the waistline of the wearer as well as to exert the upward force which, by means of the side elastic banding, restores the garment to its original positionon the wearer after it is lowered in use from the buttocks.

Fig. shows the side view and Fig. 6 the front view of the combination garment with adiscontinuous front body portion, a construction which has the following advantages over the continuous front body portion of the garment of Fig. 1. In the first place, all of the fabric over the wearers hips is eliminated instead of only half. In the second place, the garment can readily be shortened merely by the shortening of the free upper ends of the banding 4 where they are attached to the elastic waistband l l. A third advantage of the discontinuous front is its convenience during the time the wearer has on a sanitary napkin, at which time the continuous front of the garment of Fig. 1 interferes sufficiently with the easy manipulation of a sanitary napkin as to discourage some customers. The continuous-front garment is by no means impossible to use at such times, however, since the rear seat construction renders it far superior to other chemise-type garments in this respect.

In the garment of Figs. 5 and 6, the upper edge of the front body portion is at the level of the groin and cut in a slightly concave curve to conform to the natural curve of the groin; and, because the curve of the figure recedes at the level of the groin, the terminal edge does not cause a mark to show through the outer skirt. A light-weight elastic banding i4 is applied fiat to this upper edge of the front body portion, the ends lapped under and stitched securely to the elastic banding 4 which remains the same as in the garment of Fig. 1, except that the upper side continuations are free side strips now which serve to suspend the abbreviated groin-height panty from the elastic waistband ll. The front bodice now extends downward only to the waistline in front, and the full elastic Waistband ll applied completely around the lower edge of the bodice now replaces the half-waistband 6 of Figs. 1 and 2. Again, the side elastic strips must be shorter, depending upon the toughness of the elastic used, than the body length between the upper edge of the panty and the waistline, in order to exert sufiicient tension so that the upward pull from the waistband will restore the garment to its original position on the wearer after it is lowered downward and forward in use. The rear bodice 'l and the elastic inserts 8 remain the same as in Figs. 1 and 2. The rear view is exactly the sameas Fig. 2, including the elastic loop for the purpose of separably attaching a half-petticoat. The girdle, or body of the wearer, 3 is now exposed in front as well as in the rear, from the waistband H down to the elastic banding l4 at the level of the groin. While the type of bodice with separate bust-cups 2, used in Figs. 1 and 3, can also be used in this version of the combination garment, Figs. 5 and 6 show a front bodice 12 cut in one piece down to the waistline, both for variety and economy of construction.

Just as Fig. 4,illustrates'the waistline length version of the garment shown in Figs. 1,2, and 3, separate drawings .could; also be shown. to

illustrate the waistline Version of the garment shown in Figs. 5 and 6, but they would be identical with Figs. 5 and 6 from the waistband ll down. In the waistline panty the waistband II is free instead of being attached to the lower edge of a bodice, and the operation of the panty is identical.

Fig. 7 shows a simpler and slightly less expensive cut and construction of the garment which is abbreviated to the groin in front. As compared with the construction in Fig. 5, in which the upper edge of the front portion is shaped with the slightly concave curve of the groin and the upper edge of the seat portion is also shaped in a slightly concave curve, in this version the upper edge is cut in a substantially straight line completely around the figure substantially at the level of the groin. This level is a shorter distance above the crotch in the model designed for wear under a girdle than in the model designed for wear over a girdle, and this distance from the crotch to the upper edge of the abbreviated panty increases in the over-thegirdle model as girdles become longer, especially in front, where the upper edge should reach the groin; but in the rear the upper edge can be tapered slightly downward without losing the overlapping relationship with the lower edge of the girdle. Because of the necessary variations in proportions, the most specific statement that can be made with regard to the level of the upper edge of the seat in all versions of the present invention is that, regardless of whether it is worn over or under the girdle, it should be out low enough to cross the figure below the fullest part of the buttocks, and high enough to move in telescopic relationship with the lower edge of a girdle and still retain a telescopic relationship when the wearer assumes an ordinary sitting position. As long as this condition is fulfilled, then it is desirable to have the seat cut as low as possible so that a minimum of strain is exerted on the garment when it is stretched downward and forward in use, so that the upper edge is well below the fullest part of the buttocks to avoid any mark showing through the outer skirt, when worn over a girdle, and so that it may be lowered in use with the greatest possible ease when worn under a girdle.

A light-weight elastic banding iii is applied completely around the upper edge of the garment of Fig. '7, in place of the front elastic banding l4 and the rear elastic banding 4 in the garment of Fig. 5. In place of the free side continuations of rear elastic banding 4, elastic side strips H are attached to elastic banding It substantially at each side of the wearer to suspend the abbreviated panty from the elastic waistband I I. As in the other versions of this invention, these elastic side strips must be sufficiently shorter than the actual distance from the groin to the waistline to create a gentle tension whereby the upward pull from the waistband restores the garment to its original position on the wearer after it is lowered in use. Also, in all versions of the present invention, the necessary length of the side stripsto spring the garment back into position varies inversely with the toughness of the elastic banding used, that is, the gentler the elastic, the shorter the side strip needed to pull the garment back into place on the wearer.

It is understood that the alternative construction illustrated in Fig. 7 applies also to the combination garment with discontinuous front, as illustrated in Figs.5 and 6.-

In the construction of any of the above described forms of the present invention, whether the combination garment or the separate pantyfrom the waistline down, any width or length panty leg can be used and can be finished plain at the bottom or edged with trimming.

I claim:

1. A womans close-fitting bifurcated undergarment composed of flexible knitted fabric, with continuous legcovering portions and continuous permanently attached crotch portion, having the upper edge of the portion crossing the figure below the fullest part of the buttocks, substantially at a height at which said upper seat edge will maintain a telescopic relationship with the lower edge of a girdle; elastic banding applied to said upper edge of the seat portion, which serves to maintain the fit and shape of the garment after it is stretched downward and forward in use; an elastic banding emanating, substantially at each side of the wearer, from the elastic banding at the upper edge of the seat and extending upwardly to the waistline; elastic banding at the waistline, from which depend the two aforementioned elastic side bandings, cut to a length which measures less than the actual body distance they traverse, and by means of which bandings the upper edge of the seat is held under elastic tension which readily restores it to its original position on the wearer after'it is stretched downward and forward in use.

2. A woman's close-fitting bifurcated undergarment composed of flexible knitted fabric, with continuous leg-covering portions and continuous permanently attached crotch portion, having the upper edge of the seat portion crossing the figure below the fullest part of the buttocks, so that the strain on the garment is reduced to a minimum when it is stretched downward and forward in use and so that a smooth eifect is insured when worn over a girdle, and also so that the seat can readily be lowered when worn under a girdle; said upper edge of the seat portion cut substantially at a height atwhich it will maintain a telescopic rela tionship with the lower edge of girdle when the wearer assumes an ordinary sitting position; elastic banding applied to said upper edge of the seat, whereby the garment returns to its original shape and fit after being stretched downwardly and forwardly in use; an elastic banding emanating, substantially at each side of the wearer, from the elastic banding applied to the upper edge of the seat and extending upwardly to the waistline; an elastic waistband, from which depend the elastic side bandings, which are cut to a length that measures less than the body distance they traverse, in order to produce a gentle tension whereby the upward pull from the waistband restores the garment to its original position on the wearer after it is stretched downward and forward in use.

3. A womans close-fitting bifurcated undergarment composed of flexible knitted fabric, with continuous leg-covering portions and continuous permanently attached crotch portion, having the upper edge of the seat portion, cut in a slightly concave curve, crossing the figure below the fullest part of the buttocks, so that the strain on the garment is reduced to a minh num when it is stretched downward and forward in use and so that a smooth effect is insured when worn over a girdle, and also so that the seat can readily be lowered when worn under a girdle; said upper edge of the seat portion cut substantially at a height at which it will maintain a telescopic relationship with the lower edge of a girdle when the wearer assumes an ordinary sitting position; elastic banding applied to said upper edge of the seat, whereby the garment returns to its original shape and fit after being stretched downwardly and forwardly in use; continuations of said elastic seat banding, substantially at each side of the wearer, curving upward to the waistline at aslight forward angle from the vertical and forming elastic side strips; a front body portion continuous with the leg-covering portions and extending up- 7 Ward to the bust-covering portions, the elastic side strips applied to the side edges of the front body portion, substantially at the sides of the wearer, said side elastic strips having been out to a length which measures less than the body distance they traverse, in order to produce a gentle tension whereby the upward pull from the waistband restores the garment to its original position on the wearer after it is lowered in use; a rear bodice portion extending downward to the waistline in order to present an unbroken line through a transparent blouse; an elastic waistband, extending across the rear of the garment and ap-' plied to the lower edge of the rear bodice portion, the ends of which elastic waistband are stitched securely to the upper ends of the depending elastic side strips, substantially at the sides of the wearer; an elastic insert at each side of the bodice, joining the front and rear bodice portions, substantially from the armpit down to the waistline, to eliminate the necessity of plackets and closures and still permit the garment to stretch sufiiciently to be drawn up over the wearers hips with ease and then return to its original shape and snug fit; provision made at the center of the rear elastic waistband for separably attaching the waistband of a half-petticoat to be worn with the garment instead of a slip; and adjustable shoulder straps.

4. A womans close-fitting bifurcated undergarment composed of flexible knitted fabric, with continuous leg-covering portions and continuous permanently attached crotch portion, having the upper edge of the seat portion, cut in a slightly concave curve, crossing the figure below the fullest part of the buttocks, so that the strain on the garment is reduced to a minimum when it is stretched downwardly and forwardly in use and so that a smooth effect is insured when worn over a girdle, and also so that the seat can readily be lowered when worn under a girdle; said upper edge of the seat portion cut substantially at a height at which it will maintaian a telescopic relationship with the lower edge of a girdle when the wearer assumes an ordinary sitting position; elastic banding applied to said upper edge of the seat, whereby the garment returns to its original shape and fit after being stretched downwardly and forwardly in use; continuations of said elastic seat banding, substantially at each side of the wearer, curving upward to the waistline at a slight forward angle from the vertical and forming elastic side strips; a front body portion continuous with the leg-covering portions and extending upward to the waistline, substantially between the sides of the wearer, the elastic side strips applied to the side edges of the front body portion, said side elastic strips having been cut to a length which measures less than the body distance they traverse, in order to produce a gentle tension whereby the upward pull from the waistband restores the garment to its original position on the wearer after it is lowered in use; an elastic banding at the waistline, applied to the upper edge of the front body portion and continuing around the rear of the wearer to form an elastic waistband, said waistband stitched securely to the upper ends of the depending elastic side strips, substantially at the sides of the wearer, the rear halfwaistband serving to hold the garment on the wearer as well as exert the initial upward force which, by means of the tension in the elastic side strips, restores the garment to its original position on the wearer after it is lowered in use.

5. A womans close-fitting bifurcated undergarment composed of flexible knitted fabric, with continuous leg-covering portions and continuous permanently attached crotch portion, having the upper edge of the seat portion, cut in a slightly concave curve, crossing the figure below the fullest part of the buttocks, so that the strain on the garment is reduced to a minimum when it is stretched downwardly and forwardly in use and so that a smooth effect is insured when worn over a girdle, and also so that the seat can readily be lowered when worn under a girdle; said upper edge of the seat portion cut substantially at a height at which it will maintain a telescopic relationship with the lower edge of a girdle when the wearer assumes an ordinary sitting position; elastic banding applied to said upper edge of the seat, whereby the garment returns to its original shape and fit after being stretched downwardly and forwardly in use; continuations of said elastic banding, substantially at each side of the wearer, curving upward to the waistline at a slight forward angle from the vertical and forming elastic side strips; the upper edge of the front portion crossing the figure substantially at the level of the groin and following the slightly concave curve of the groin; elastic banding applied to this upper front edge and its ends stitched securely to the rear elastic seat banding at the side points from which elastic seat banding curves upward to form the elastic side strips; an elastic waistband from which depend the two elastic side strips, which are cut to a length that measures less than the body distance they traverse, in order to produce a gentle tension whereby the upward pull from the waistband restores the garment to its original position on the wearer after it is lowered in use.

6. A womans close-fitting bifurcated undergarment composed of flexible knitted fabric, with continuous leg-covering portions and continuous permanently attached crotch portion, having the upper edge of the seat portion, cut in a slightly concave curve, crossing the figure below the fullest part of the buttocks, so that the strain on the garment is reduced to a minimum when it is stretched downwardly and forwardly in use and so that a smooth effect is insured when worn over a girdle, and also so that the seat can readily be lowered when worn under a girdle; said upper edge of the seat portion cut substantially at a height at which it will maintain a telescopic relationship with the lower edge of a girdle when the wearer assumes an ordinary sitting position; elastic banding ap plied to said upper edge of the seat, whereby the garment returns to its original shape and fit after being stretched downwardly and forwardly in use; continuations of said elastic seat banding, substantially at each side of the wearer, curving upward to the waistline at a slight forward angle from the vertical and forming elastic side strips; the upper edge of the front portion crossing the figure substantially at the level of the groin and following the slightly concave curve of the groin; elastic banding applied to this upper front edge and its ends stitched securely to the rear'elastic seat banding at the side points from which said elastic seat banding curves upward to form the elastic side strips; a bodice extending downward to the waistline in both front and back, having adjustable shoulder straps and an elastic insert at each side, joining the front and rear sections of the bodice substantially from the armpit down to the waistline, in order to eliminate closures and fasteners and still permit the garment to be drawn up over the hips with ease and then return to its original shape; an elastic waistband applied to the lower edge of the bodice, the two elastic side strips depending from this elastic waistband sub stantially at the sides of the wearer, said side strips having been cut to a length which measures less than the body distance they traverse, in order to exert a gentle tension whereby the upward pull from the waistband restores the garment to its original position on the wearer after it is lowered in use; provision made at the center back of the elastic waistband for separably attaching the waistband of a half-petticoat to be worn with the garment in place of a slip.

7. A womans close-fitting bifurcated undergarment composed of flexible knitted fabric, with continuous leg-covering portions and continuous permanently attached crotch portion, having its upper edge out at a level to cross the front of the figure substantially at the groin and the rear of the figure below the fullest part of the buttocks, so that the strain on the garment is reduced to a minimum when it is stretched downwardly and forwardly in use and so that a smooth effect is insured when worn over a girdle, and also so that the seat can readily be lowered when worn under a gridle; said rear upper edge out substantially at a height at which it will maintain a telescopic relationship with the lower edge of a girdle when the wearer assumes an ordinary sitting position; elastic banding applied around said entire upper edge of the garment, whereby the garment returns to its original shape after being stretched downwardly and forwardly in use; a vertical elastic strip substantially at each side of the wearer, positioned substantially perpendicular to said elastic banding, the lower ends of the two elastic side strips stitched securely to the elastic banding and extending upward therefrom to the waistline; elastic banding around the waistline forming an elastic waistband, from which depend the two elastic side strips, said side strips having been cut to a length which measures less than the body distance they traverse, in order to produce a gentle tension whereby the upward pull from the waistband restores the garment to its original position on the wearer after it is lowered in use.

8. A womans close-fitting bifurcated undergarment composed of flexible knitted fabric, with continuous leg-covering portions and continuous permanently attached crotch portion, having the upper edge of the garment cut at a level to cross the figure in the front substantially at the groin and in the rear below the fullest part of the buttocks, so that the strain on the garment is reduced to a minimum when it is stretched downwardly and forwardly in use and so that a smooth effect is insured when worn over a girdle, and also s0 that the seat can readily be lowered when worn under a girdle; said rear upper edge out substantially at a height at which it will maintain a telescopic relationship with the lower edge of a girdle when the wearer assumes an ordinary sitting position; elastic banding applied around said entire upper edge of the garment, whereby the garment returns to its original shape after being stretched downwardly and forwardly in use; a vertical elastic strip substantially at each side of the wearer, positioned substantially perpendicular to said elastic banding, the lower ends of the two elastic side stripsstitched securely to the elastic banding and extending upward therefrom to the waistline; a bodices extending downward to the waistline in both front and back, having adjustable shoulder straps, and an elastic insert at eachv side joining the front and back sections of the bodice substantially from the armpit down to the waistline, in order to eliminate closures and fasteners and still permit. the garment to be drawn up over the hips with ease and then return to its original shape; an elastic waistband applied to the lower edge of the bodice, the two elastic side strips depending from this elastic waistband substantially at the sides of the wearer, said side strips having been cut to a length which measures less than the body distance they traverse, in order to produce a gentle tension whereby the upward pull from the waistband restores the garment to its original position on the wearer after it is lowered in use; provision made at the center back of the elastic waistband for separably attaching the waistband of a half-petticoat to be Worn with the garment in place of a slip.

ZENA BROWN. 

